The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-09-24

to order his policy according to the wishes of
its dominant element; promises of reform to
the contrary notwithstanding? The most
conspicuous instance Of the Presidents de-
votion to this element is afforded by the
present campaign in Maryland. Mr.. Curtis,
in Harper's Weekly, gives this comprehen-
siye description of the issues involved:
The President can hardly fail to appreciate the
gravity OF the political situation in Maryland 1t
Is rejected III the public and private comments of
his friends, and the mere statement OF il is a
cause for the most serious consideration. In a
contest between The most notorious leaders of
corrupt politics with resolute body of citizens of
both parties who are seeking honest government
and actual reform, the President is in apparent
alliance with the enemies of reform 1t is State
election, but 1t is by far the most important of the
State elections of the year, and it commands the
attention OF the whole country. In no State are
politics more VIGOROUSLY corrupt than in Mary
land; nowhere is the issue between honest and
dishonest politics more clearly defined. No poll
tieian in the country is more conspicuous as an
enemy OF the Presidents often-declared views
than Senator German. No platform prOnounces
more strongly for spoils politics than the Demo-
cratic platform in Maryland. The only policy at
stake in the election is that of reform in the laws
and the system which facilitate political corrup-
ton. And in this situation all intelligent Demo-
Gratis who have been in peculiar sympathy with
the President, all independent voters who have
gladly made every allowance for the difficulties of
his situation, aud who have not permitted serious
disappointments to disturb their confidence in
his sincerity, see with astonishment and incredu-
lily that he Is the protector and ally of Senator
German against his own principles and against
the Democrats who sustain them in this contro-
Yersy.
This conduct of the President. Mr.. Curtis
declares is mystery" the meaning of
which nobody has authoritatively ex-
planned" "The theory" he continues,
that the President is a reformer in Massa.
chusetts becaure it is Republican State,
and he wishes to hold the Mugwuhp vote.
and spokesman in Maryland because it is
Democratic State and he wishes to hold the
Democratic vote, would be plausible in the
case of another man. but it is not consistent
with the Presidents character and career"
The only thing then, that prevents a simple
and obvious explanation of the Presidents
course is his character and career"l What
is Grover Cleveand's character? There is lit
tie in it, so far as known, that suggest great
reformer. What has been his career? Not
that of a tried statesman certainly, for his
reputation is not yet ten years old; rather
the career of a lucky politician, who was for
tunate enough to do well in certain places
where everyone was watching him. That
man of this sort has not stemmed the tide of
opinion in great national party, instead of
being swept along helpless wreck with it,
Mr.. Curtis regards as great mystery" for
which the human brain can find no expana-
ton,